Yasothon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yasothon
ยโสธร
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Yasothon Municipal Hall
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| Nickname(s):
Mueang Yot Nakorn (Proud Capital City)
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 Yasothon
Location in Thailand
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| Country | Thailand |
| Province | Yasothon province |
| District | Mueang Yasothon district |
| Population
(2005)
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| • Total | 21,134 |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
| Thai highway |   [2169] |
Yasothon (Thai: ยโสธร) is a town in the northeastern part of Thailand. It is located on the Chi River. Yasothon is the main city and administrative center of Yasothon province. It is also the capital of its city district. In 2005, the town had a population of 21,134 people. It is about 531 kilometers (330 miles) northeast of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
Contents
History of Yasothon
How Yasothon Was Founded
In 1811, a leader named Chao Racha Wong Singh led his people to the Chi River. They settled near a deserted temple and started a new town. The town was first called Ban Sing Kow, meaning 'old lion village'. It was also known as Ban Sing Tha. There are many old Khmer artifacts in the area. However, the town's written history only begins from 1811.
Later, a chedi (a type of Buddhist monument) near Wat Sing Tha was rebuilt. This temple had been empty for a long time. The town's name changed to Ban Sing Thong, meaning 'Gold Lion Village'. Then it changed again to Ban Sing Tha. The word Tha can mean 'port' or 'landing'. It can also mean 'pose'. So, Sing Tha means 'port lion' or 'imposing lion'. You can see imposing lion statues at the temple's Lion Gate.
Changes to the Town's Name
In 1814, King Rama II officially changed the town's name to Mueang Yasothon. The name Yasothon might mean 'arrogant' or 'high rank'. At the same time, the leader of Yasothon received a new title: Phra Sunthonratchawongsa.
Five leaders held the title of Phra Sunthon Ratcha Wongsa in Yasothon. The first was Singh, from 1815 to 1823. A monument to Singh was built in 2011 at Wat Srithammaram.
The town's unofficial nickname is Mueang Yot Nakhon. This means 'Proud capital'.
General Bodindecha's Influence
Chao Phraya Bodindecha was a famous general. He lived from 1777 to 1849. He led the army from Bangkok. His army stopped a rebellion in 1826. After that, General Sing brought his army to Yasothon. They regrouped at a place now called Wat Tung Sawang Chaiyaphum. This temple has a nine-spire chedi.
A military camp, Camp Bodindecha, is named after him. It is located west of the city. The Royal Thai Army 16th Infantry Regiment has been based there since 1985.
Yasothon Becomes a Municipality
Yasothon's local government started in 1944. It was first a subdistrict municipality. When Yasothon Province was created, the municipality became a town municipality.
Chinese Culture in Yasothon
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There is a strong Thai Chinese community in Yasothon. The city pillar was built in 1987. It is inside a shrine that looks like a Chinese temple. A Chinese warrior statue represents the city spirit. This spirit is honored in an annual parade. The parade celebrates the day the shrine was dedicated.
Yasothon Rocket Festival
What is the Rocket Festival?
Yasothon's Rocket Festival (Thai: ประเพณีบุญบั้งไฟ) happens every year in mid-May. This festival began as a way to ask the King of the Sky, Phaya Thaen, for rain. People would fire rockets into the sky. This reminded the King to send the rain needed for growing rice.
Festival Activities and Traditions
The festival is a big competition and celebration. It lasts a whole weekend.
- Friday: The main street becomes a parade ground. There are concert stages with mor lam performers.
- Saturday: Parade groups compete for prizes. They have highly decorated floats. People dance and enjoy music. Many dances and floats tell the story of Phadaeng Nang Ai.
- Sunday: The action moves to Phaya Thaen Park. This is where the rocket competition takes place. Teams compete to see whose rocket stays in the air the longest.
In 1999, a large rocket exploded during the festival. It caused injuries and sadly, some deaths. This event made headlines around the world.
Tourism in Yasothon
In 2015, a special museum was built to attract tourists. It is shaped like a toad and has five floors.
Climate in Yasothon
Yasothon has three main seasons: summer, rainy season (monsoon), and winter. The highest temperature can reach 43 °C (109.4 °F). The lowest temperature can be 11 °C (51.8 °F). On average, the air is 71.1% humid. The average rainfall from 2009 to 2013 was 1,600 millimeters per year.
Getting Around Yasothon
Yasothon city is about 500 kilometers (310 miles) from Bangkok. It takes about seven hours to drive there. The city is located where Routes 23 and 202 meet.
- Local Transport:
- Samlo (bicycle rickshaws) are used in the city center.
- Tuk-tuks are not allowed in the city center.
- Motorcycle taxis are available. They have yellow license plates and drivers wear special vests.
- Bus Travel:
- Several bus lines connect Yasothon daily to Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal.
- Buses also connect to other bus terminals in northern and northeastern Thailand.
- Ubon Ratchathani is 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of Yasothon via Route 23.
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Images for kids
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Yasothon Municipal Hall
See also
In Spanish: Yasothon para niños
